Australia still upbeat about Perpetual Trophy chances

INDIGENOUS All-Stars coach Mick O'Loughlin has not given up on his team winning the Cormac McAnnellen Perpetual Trophy despite losing the first game of the two-match series to Ireland 2.12.9 (57) 1.7.8 (35) in Cavan yesterday morning.

The Australians will have to win next week's second game at Dublin's Croke Park by 23 points to take the trophy but O'Loughlin said he was still hopeful.

"It's going to be tough, absolutely, really, really tough," he said.

"But stranger things have happened."

O'Loughlin was full of praise for new Sydney Swans recruit Lance Franklin's efforts.

"He was absolutely brilliant tonight, one of our best players," O'Loughlin said of Franklin (pictured), who will miss next week's match to attend the wedding of former Hawthorn teammate Brent Guerra.

O'Loughlin, however, was less than impressed with the rest of his team.